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# Research finds LGBTQ+ youth in mental health crisis
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/research-finds-lgbtq-youth-in-mental-health-crisis/
- Published: 2021-02-19T12:30:47.000Z
- Updated: 2021-02-19T09:43:23.000Z
- Description: New research from national LGBTQ+ charity, Just Like Us, has found young queer people are increasingly struggling with their mental health during the pandemic.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Queer Corner, Coronavirus Pandemic, Just Like Us, LGBTQ, LGBTQ Mental Health, LGBTQ youth, Mental Health, UK

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/just-like-us-logo-600.jpg)

New [research](https://www.justlikeus.org/single-post/lgbt-young-people-mental-health-coronavirus?ref=scenemag.co.uk) from national LGBTQ+ charity, **Just Like Us**, has found young queer people are increasingly struggling with their mental health during the pandemic, with them being twice as likely to worry about their mental wellbeing on a daily basis compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers. The research interviewed 2,934 secondary school pupils about their mental wellbeing, and found 55% of young LGBTQ+ people are regularly concerned about their mental health.

70% of LGBTQ+ youth said their mental health had worsened since the coronavirus pandemic began. 52% of LGBTQ+ respondents reported experiencing loneliness during lockdown, compared to 27% of non-LGBTQ+ students. An additional 25% of LGBTQ+ people said they had been experiencing daily tension in their home, compared to 15% of straight, cisgender youth.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/mental-health-1-1.jpg)

Matthew, 14-year-old pansexual student from **Coventry**, told Just Like Us: *“It has been a really scary time for everyone. I’ve had some panic attacks and am worried about being forgotten. If you don’t have a home life where people are accepting of being LGBTQ+, you need it to be accepted at school so you know it’s okay.”* However, half of respondents said they had received no ‘LGBTQ+ positive messaging’ from school. Just Like Us chief executive, **Dominic Arnall**, said the pandemic has posed *“the biggest risk to the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people since Section 28” – a* 1988 ruling which stated authorities, including educational institutions, should not *“intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality.”*

He urged schools to take action to support LGBTQ+ students: *“The pandemic has been a difficult period for everyone, but our research clearly demonstrates the impact of coronavirus and lockdown has not fallen equally. We cannot afford for progress made in LGBTQ+ education over the past 10 years to be swept aside during this period. Schools must take action now – the longer inclusive education is delayed, the bigger risk we run of creating a lost generation of LGBTQ+ young people surrounded by shame and silence, low self-esteem, afraid of coming out, and facing a delayed start in life.”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lgbtq-rainbow-pride-rights-flag-1.jpg)